People often search for kidney problems and symptoms after noticing swelling, unusual urine, persistent tiredness, back or side discomfort, or an abnormal creatinine report.
The kidneys perform several essential functions. They filter waste products from the blood, help regulate fluid balance, support electrolyte balance and play an important role in blood-pressure regulation.
A problem affecting the kidneys can develop suddenly or gradually.
One of the challenges with kidney disease is that some kidney problems may not cause obvious symptoms during their early stages. A person may feel well even when laboratory tests show reduced kidney function or evidence of kidney damage.
For this reason, understanding possible warning signs and obtaining appropriate testing can be important.
At Prabhakar Bhurke Clinic, Dr. Sandip Prabhakar Bhurke, super specialist nephrologist and transplant physician, provides specialist evaluation for kidney-function abnormalities and a wide range of kidney-related conditions.
What Are Kidney Problems?
The term kidney problems can describe many different conditions.
These may include:
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Acute kidney injury
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Chronic kidney disease
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Kidney infections
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Kidney stones
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Urinary obstruction
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Protein in urine
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Diabetes-related kidney disease
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High blood pressure-related kidney damage
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Glomerular diseases
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Kidney cysts
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Inherited kidney disorders
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Electrolyte abnormalities
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Advanced kidney failure
Because these conditions are different, symptoms can also vary.
The correct diagnosis cannot be made from symptoms alone.
Blood tests, urine tests, blood-pressure assessment and imaging may be needed depending on the clinical situation.
1. Changes in Urine
Changes in urine are among the symptoms people commonly associate with kidney problems.
Possible changes include:
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Foamy urine
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Blood in urine
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Dark or unusually coloured urine
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Cloudy urine
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Increased frequency of urination
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Reduced urine output
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Waking frequently at night to urinate
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Burning or discomfort while passing urine
However, urinary changes do not always mean kidney disease.
They can also occur because of dehydration, infection, bladder conditions, diabetes and other medical problems.
Persistent or unexplained changes should be medically evaluated.
2. Swelling in the Feet, Ankles or Face
Kidneys help regulate the amount of fluid in the body.
When kidney function is significantly affected, the body may retain excess fluid.
This can contribute to swelling in areas such as:
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Feet
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Ankles
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Legs
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Hands
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Face
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Area around the eyes
Swelling can also occur because of heart, liver, vascular and other medical conditions.
Therefore, it should not automatically be assumed to be caused by the kidneys.
3. Persistent Tiredness and Low Energy
Ongoing tiredness can occur in people with kidney disease.
Possible contributing factors may include:
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Anemia
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Accumulation of waste products
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Poor appetite
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Sleep disturbances
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Other medical conditions
Fatigue is a nonspecific symptom and can have many causes.
Persistent or unexplained fatigue should be discussed with a healthcare professional.
4. Foamy Urine
Foamy urine may sometimes be associated with protein or albumin in the urine.
Persistent protein loss can occur in certain kidney diseases.
A urine test can help determine whether protein is present.
Occasional bubbles in urine do not necessarily indicate kidney disease, but persistent or unusually foamy urine should be evaluated, particularly if it occurs with swelling or abnormal kidney-function tests.
5. Blood in the Urine
Blood in the urine can appear:
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Red
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Pink
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Brownish
In some cases, blood may only be detected during laboratory testing.
Possible causes include:
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Kidney stones
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Urinary infection
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Kidney disease
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Other urinary tract conditions
Blood in the urine should be medically assessed, particularly when persistent or associated with pain or other symptoms.
6. High Blood Pressure
High blood pressure and kidney health are closely connected.
Long-standing uncontrolled hypertension can damage kidney blood vessels.
At the same time, kidney disease can contribute to difficult-to-control blood pressure.
A person with high blood pressure should follow appropriate medical advice regarding kidney-function monitoring.
7. Changes in Urine Quantity
A significant reduction in urine output can be a warning sign of an acute kidney or urinary problem.
Very low urine output can occur with:
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Acute kidney injury
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Severe dehydration
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Urinary obstruction
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Serious illness
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Other medical conditions
Very little or no urine requires prompt medical assessment, particularly when accompanied by swelling, breathlessness or worsening health.
8. Nausea or Loss of Appetite
Advanced kidney dysfunction can affect appetite and digestion.
Some patients may experience:
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Nausea
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Reduced appetite
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Vomiting
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Changes in food taste
These symptoms can occur in many other illnesses as well.
Persistent nausea or vomiting requires medical evaluation.
9. Itching Without an Obvious Skin Cause
Persistent itching may occur in people with advanced kidney dysfunction.
Changes in waste-product levels, mineral balance and other factors may contribute.
However, itching can also occur because of skin disease, allergies, liver conditions and other causes.
The underlying reason should be identified rather than treating the symptom alone.
10. Shortness of Breath
Severe kidney dysfunction can sometimes contribute to fluid accumulation.
Fluid overload may affect breathing.
Breathlessness can also be caused by:
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Heart disease
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Lung disease
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Anemia
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Infection
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Other serious medical conditions
Sudden or severe breathlessness requires urgent medical attention.
11. Pain in the Side or Flank
Pain near the kidney area may occur with certain kidney or urinary conditions.
Possible causes include:
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Kidney stones
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Kidney infection
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Urinary obstruction
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Certain cystic conditions
However, many cases of back or side pain are caused by muscles, joints or nerves rather than the kidneys.
The location and nature of the pain should be evaluated in the appropriate clinical context.
12. Fever With Flank Pain
Fever combined with flank pain can be a concerning symptom.
A kidney infection or an infected obstructed urinary system may require prompt treatment.
Seek medical assessment, particularly when fever is associated with:
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Chills
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Vomiting
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Severe pain
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Burning while urinating
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Reduced urine output
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Feeling severely unwell
13. Muscle Cramps and Weakness
Kidney dysfunction can affect electrolyte balance.
Changes in minerals and electrolytes may contribute to:
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Muscle cramps
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Weakness
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Fatigue
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Abnormal sensations
Severe electrolyte abnormalities can be medically serious.
Blood tests may be required to identify the cause.
14. Difficulty Concentrating or Confusion
Severe kidney dysfunction can affect overall body chemistry and may contribute to cognitive symptoms.
Confusion, altered consciousness or sudden changes in mental status require urgent medical evaluation.
These symptoms can have many serious causes and should not be ignored.
15. Abnormal Creatinine or eGFR Results
Some kidney problems are detected through testing before symptoms appear.
Common kidney-function measurements include:
Creatinine
Creatinine is a waste product measured in the blood.
An elevated level may indicate reduced kidney filtration but must be interpreted in the context of age, muscle mass, hydration, medicines and other factors.
eGFR
eGFR estimates kidney filtration.
Persistently reduced eGFR may indicate chronic kidney disease when interpreted together with the duration of the abnormality and other evidence of kidney damage.
Urine Albumin
Albumin in the urine can be an important sign of kidney damage.
Regular screening may help detect kidney disease earlier in people at increased risk.
Can Kidney Problems Occur Without Symptoms?
Yes.
This is one of the most important things to understand about kidney health.
Early chronic kidney disease may cause no noticeable symptoms.
Testing can be particularly important for people with risk factors such as:
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Diabetes
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High blood pressure
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Cardiovascular disease
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Family history of kidney disease
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Previous acute kidney injury
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Recurrent kidney stones
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Recurrent urinary infections
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Known urinary tract abnormalities
The appropriate screening schedule should be discussed with a healthcare professional.
Which Kidney Symptoms Are More Likely to Need Urgent Care?
Some symptoms should not be delayed.
Seek urgent medical attention for:
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Very little or no urine
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Severe breathlessness
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Severe swelling
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Chest pain
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Confusion
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Persistent vomiting
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Severe weakness
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Fainting
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High fever with severe flank pain
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Rapid deterioration in overall health
These symptoms may indicate a serious kidney, urinary or systemic problem.
What Causes Kidney Problems?
Kidney problems can develop for many reasons.
Common causes include:
Diabetes
Long-term diabetes can damage the kidney's filtering structures.
High Blood Pressure
Persistent hypertension can damage kidney blood vessels over time.
Acute Illness
Severe infection, dehydration, low blood pressure and other acute illnesses can cause sudden kidney injury.
Medicines
Certain medicines may affect kidney function in susceptible individuals.
Urinary Obstruction
Kidney stones, prostate problems or narrowing of the urinary tract can interfere with urine drainage.
Immune and Glomerular Diseases
Certain diseases can affect the kidney's filtering units.
The cause must be identified because treatment differs from one condition to another.
How Are Kidney Problems Diagnosed?
A doctor may use several methods to investigate kidney symptoms.
Medical History
The doctor may ask about:
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Symptoms
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Previous illnesses
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Blood pressure
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Diabetes
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Medicines
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Family history
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Previous kidney problems
Blood Tests
Tests may include:
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Creatinine
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eGFR
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Potassium
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Sodium
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Bicarbonate
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Blood count
Urine Tests
Urine examination may identify:
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Protein
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Albumin
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Blood
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Infection
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Other abnormalities
Imaging
Ultrasound or other imaging may be recommended when structural kidney problems, stones or urinary obstruction are suspected.
What Should You Do If You Have Kidney Problem Symptoms?
The appropriate action depends on the severity and duration of the symptoms.
Helpful steps include:
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Do not ignore persistent urinary changes.
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Monitor blood pressure when advised.
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Review abnormal blood or urine reports with a doctor.
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Inform the doctor about all medicines and supplements.
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Avoid self-medicating with unverified kidney remedies.
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Do not take excessive fluids in an attempt to "flush" the kidneys.
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Attend recommended follow-up tests.
The goal is to identify the cause rather than simply treating symptoms without a diagnosis.
Can Kidney Problems Be Prevented?
Not all kidney diseases can be prevented.
However, some steps may help reduce the risk of kidney damage or slow progression of existing kidney disease.
These may include:
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Keeping blood pressure under appropriate control
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Managing diabetes
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Avoiding unnecessary kidney-harming medicines
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Maintaining appropriate hydration
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Following an individualized diet when kidney disease is present
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Avoiding tobacco
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Maintaining a healthy body weight
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Attending regular health checkups
People with known kidney disease should follow an individualized care plan.
When Should You See a Kidney Specialist?
A nephrologist consultation may be appropriate when there is:
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Persistently high creatinine
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Reduced eGFR
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Significant protein or albumin in urine
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Blood in urine
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Progressive decline in kidney function
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Recurrent acute kidney injury
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Difficult-to-control blood pressure
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Significant electrolyte abnormalities
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Advanced chronic kidney disease
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Kidney failure
A kidney specialist can investigate the underlying cause and develop an appropriate management plan.
Kidney Problems and Symptoms Care at Prabhakar Bhurke Clinic
At Prabhakar Bhurke Clinic, Dr. Sandip Prabhakar Bhurke, super specialist nephrologist and transplant physician, provides individualized evaluation for patients with kidney symptoms and abnormal kidney-function results.
Depending on the patient's condition, care may include:
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Evaluation of elevated creatinine
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eGFR assessment
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Urine protein or albumin evaluation
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Chronic kidney disease management
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Acute kidney injury assessment
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Diabetes-related kidney care
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Hypertension-related kidney management
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Electrolyte assessment
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Evaluation of swelling and fluid balance
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Kidney failure assessment
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Dialysis-related care
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Kidney transplant-related evaluation
Treatment decisions are based on the patient's diagnosis, kidney function, symptoms and overall medical condition.
Frequently Asked Questions About Kidney Problems and Symptoms
What are the first signs of kidney problems?
Kidney disease may initially cause no symptoms. Possible warning signs include persistent changes in urine, foamy urine, swelling, high blood pressure and abnormal kidney-function tests.
Can kidney problems cause back pain?
Some kidney conditions, such as stones and infections, can cause flank or side pain. However, many cases of back pain are not related to the kidneys.
What does kidney swelling feel like?
Fluid retention may cause swelling in the feet, ankles, legs, hands or face. However, swelling can have several causes and should be evaluated.
Can kidney problems cause tiredness?
Yes, kidney dysfunction can contribute to fatigue, particularly when associated with anemia or advanced kidney disease. Fatigue also has many other causes.
Can kidney disease exist without symptoms?
Yes. Early kidney disease may be silent, which is why blood and urine testing is important for people at increased risk.
What test checks kidney problems?
Common tests include serum creatinine, eGFR and urine testing for protein or albumin. Additional tests depend on the suspected kidney condition.
Conclusion
Understanding kidney problems and symptoms can help people recognize when medical evaluation may be necessary.
Possible warning signs include persistent changes in urine, foamy urine, blood in urine, swelling, tiredness, difficult-to-control blood pressure and abnormal kidney-function reports.
However, symptoms alone cannot confirm a kidney diagnosis. Some kidney diseases cause no symptoms in their early stages, while similar symptoms can occur because of other medical conditions.
Blood tests, urine examination, blood-pressure monitoring and imaging can help identify the underlying problem.
If you have persistent kidney-related symptoms or abnormal kidney-function results, timely evaluation can help determine the cause and guide appropriate treatment.
For specialized kidney evaluation and individualized nephrology care, consult Dr. Sandip Prabhakar Bhurke, super specialist nephrologist and transplant physician, at Prabhakar Bhurke Clinic.
Medical Disclaimer
This article is intended for general educational and informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Kidney-related symptoms can have many different causes, and symptoms alone cannot confirm kidney disease. Some kidney conditions may progress without noticeable symptoms, while urinary changes, swelling, fatigue and back pain can also occur because of other medical conditions. Do not self-diagnose or start, stop or change medicines, supplements or fluid intake based solely on this article. Seek urgent medical attention for very little or no urine, severe breathlessness, chest pain, confusion, severe swelling, persistent vomiting, high fever with severe flank pain or sudden deterioration in health. Consult Dr. Sandip Prabhakar Bhurke or another qualified nephrologist for individualized medical advice and appropriate testing.
